DDS Tape drive wont eject

[epseps]

HP JetStore external SCSI won't eject the tape. The loose spring on the inside of the drive probably has something to do with it.

Anyone know how to manually eject a 4mm DAT tape?

Anyone have any idea where that damn spring would go?

Thanks.

[mdwatts]

Have you tried HP's web/support site?

[SpinyNorman]

HP says: If the tape still cannot eject, initiate a forced eject in one of two ways:
Press the UNLOAD/EJECT button three times for 2 seconds each time.
Hold the UNLOAD/EJECT button down for at least 5 seconds.

Following this the drive will wait for 35 seconds to complete the operation it was doing, and then eject the tape. If the operation was not completed in that 35 seconds, then it will eject regardless.

However, if that doesn't work due to the broken spring, you'll probably have to have it serviced.
You can try to manually extract the tape, but the process is touchy and ugly:

-Disassemble the device so you have access to the loading mechanism and transport assembly.
-Find the gears that engage the loading arms and cassette elevator.
-Manually turn the loading gears until the arms are in their non-loaded position and the tape is freed from the head drum.
-Turn the elevator gears to raise the elevator to it's "ejected" position, making sure that the tape doesn't get caught on the loading arms or pinched in the cassette door as it tries to close.
-Carefully extract any loose tape, inspect for damage, retract the loose tape into the cassette by turning one of the reel spindles.

Sounds like fun, eh? Believe me, it isn't, but sometimes it's the only way to rescue a valuable tape.

[epseps]

Yeah. I'll have to do that I am afraid.

I'm blowing it off till Saturday...Then I get to figger out how to replace a spring or start shopping for a used HP DDS drive. *sigh*

Thanks.